'Policia!" Getaway Driver Warns Burglars, Not Fast Enough: Paramus PD

PARAMUS, NJ — The getaway driver didn't get away fast enough, Paramus police officials say.

Nicolas Cortes, 22, was arrested Friday waiting in a large sedan parked outside a Haywood Drive house where neighbors had just reported a break-in, Paramus police Deputy Chief Robert Guidetti said.

"Policia!" Cortes screamed into cellphone, according to police.

Police then saw a darker-colored sedan speed away driven by a man they later identified as Julian Cortes-Camelo, Guidetti said.

Police caught up with Cortes-Camelo as well as two other men — Johan Medina and Santiago Ortiz — one of whom tried to run away and another who hid underneath a deck, police said.

Paramus police arrested the four on burglary-related charges and remanded them to the Bergen County Jail, pending a bail hearing, police said.

Cortes, 25, of Flushing; and Cortes-Camelo, 22, of West New York, were charged with conspiracy to commit burglary, burglary and hindering prosecution, police said.

Medina and Ortiz, both 22 and also from Flushing, were charged with burglary, resisting arrest, hindering apprehension and conspiracy to commit theft, officials said.

Detectives believe the similarities in the suspects and their methods are related to other thefts throughout the county. The investigation is still active, police said.

Anyone with further information should call Paramus police at 201-262-3400.